[span style=‘font-style: italic;’]“Head mounted? Weapon mounted? Head or weapon?!”[/span] How about both!
TNVC (Tactical Night Vision Co.) has created a modular and durable mount that provides the best of both mounting solutions. They’ve done so from the ground up, by creating a lightweight mount, weighing in at only .9oz. This creates no perceptible impact when head mounted. It is also fast to attach, modular, and with no impact on helmet or weapon configurations.
I will preface this review by admitting that my experience from night vision comes purely from the civilian world. So tactics and where certain configurations would be be used only come from that background.
[span style=‘font-weight: bold;’][span style=‘font-style: italic;’]Background/Usage[/span][/span]
To understand the purpose of the TM-14 it’s best to look at best applications of each mounting style. So why would you want to helmet mount your AN/PVS-14s? It’s pretty simple; it offers you a freedom of vision that most replicates how your normal daytime vision works. You can look up, down, left, right, all independent of your firearm. This presents a great advantage when you’re not strictly shooting at a target, but rather working with electronics, navigating in and out of vehicles, hiking, running, etc.
However there are disadvantages, such as really requiring the use of an IR laser for shouldering the weapon and still being able to hit targets. These are systems that not many are able to have access to, or trained on. As a result what you gain in independence of targeting, i.e the ability to scan the battlefield in the low ready, and the bring the gun up to fire, is offset when shouldering the weapon you’re not looking through your night compatible aiming device.
This brings us to the other mounting solution; weapon mounting. By placing the NOD behind a system like an Aimpoint, or EOTech, you’re now able to pass along the weapons zero for very accurate shots at night time. This creates an ideal setup where good, accurate, fire is required. But there’s a downside, you’re slaved to using the weapon as your mode of navigation. Meaning if you need to get from point A to point B you will be required to shoulder that weapon to move. This creates a situation where if you see something you’re not willing to shoot that by the time you’ve identified what you didn’t want to shoot it you’ve already swept it. Basically what you see is what you’re muzzle is pointing at, at night, this creates a dangerous situation especially due to the rather limited field of view, even with the best modern optics.
So what’s the best solution? How about both? Vic, Clasky, and crew have basically created a mount that doesn’t impact the quality of either optic, weapon, or either preferred mounting solution. The TM-14 is simply a ring clamp that slides over the front objective lens and on to the exposed body of the PVS14. Secured with a hex screw the TM-14 provides an extremely tight and durable lockup on the optic. Because it’s a ring mount the NOD can be rotated in any direction to account for mounting solutions like the USGI J-Arm, Wilcox J-Arm, or Norotos Dual Dovetail Mount. This echo’s the concept of “use it how you like.” This system doesn’t impede the IR illuminator and/or gain knob on the PVS-14. At 0.9oz there is no perceptible weight added to the PVS-14.
What’s better is that the TM-14 uses the same Aimpoint Twist Base as the 3x magnifier. This means, unlike some other PVS14 mounts, you’re not compromising giving up one optic for another. If you currently run an Aimpoint 3X Mag, then swapping the Mag out for the NOD is as simple as pressing the lever on the left of the base, and rotating counter clockwise and up. The same applies when installing, just index the base’s exposed index pivot, turn clockwise till it clicks, and you’re locked in. Because the NOD sees past the optic you never have to worry about zeroing at all. The twist base that the TM-14 uses is also extremely well made. Securing using a tensioned nut (torqued via socket wrench) that, from my experience on my .308, did not loosen despite the fact that it’s not a “throw lever.” The base itself is light, and easy to use, naturally locking when the base comes 90 degrees, and unlocking using a positive and tactile downwards push on the release lever.
TNVC claims you can do the head to gun swap in around 10 seconds. After a weekend of shooting I found it could be done in or around 5 seconds once you developed the muscle memory to do so. Likewise when installing back on the helmet there is nothing to get in the way for your rhino arm. Because of the TM-14s size there is no concern about snagging. In fact after using it for hours on end I completely forgot that it was there to begin with.
[span style=‘font-weight: bold;’][span style=‘font-style: italic;’]Construction[/span][/span]
Made out of aircraft grade aluminum I tried to get the thing to flex but couldn’t. It’s light and strong at the same time. It also rides high enough to the optic that it will not impair your rear flip up irons. I would say if using an Aimpoint M2/M3 you may need to take in to consideration how far back your optic sits. With a T-1 however you will have no issues at all.
Also, unlike some competitive designs the TM-14 does not rely on a throw lever, which causes undue weight and annoyance when hanging from the optic.
It’s a simple design executed extremely well.
[span style=‘font-weight: bold;’][span style=‘font-style: italic;’]Use[/span][/span]
It’s simple, it’s light, it’s easy to forget it’s there. But what it adds are options. It doesn’t impact your ability to head mount, but still offers a solid mounting base for installing it on to any weapon (5.56 or less in caliber, no love from the PVS-14 for 7.62 sadly) with a rail behind your optic. I was able to quickly and positively disengage the NOD from my helmet, place it back on the weapon, fire, get up, and when appropriate install the NOD back on my helmet very quickly with no fumbling. To me this is a success. It has created a transparent solution to a common problem, without diminishing the experience of shooting head or weapon mounted. Unlike other mounts you’re not having to worry that you’re carrying around a throw lever ring that could hook on to gear, comms gear, or vehicle.
[span style=‘font-weight: bold;’][span style=‘font-style: italic;’]Last Notes[/span][/span]
I’m extremely pleased with my TM-14, as it’s added a capability to my AR-15s that I never knew I really wanted. And created a new way of using my rifle at night that I hadn’t considered due to previous mounts that are clumsy, expensive, and heavy. Vic and the guys at TNVC have knocked this out of the park, and anyone running a quality set of NODs that runs this kit for a living, or even as a hobbyist, would best consider the addition of this bit of kit.